INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
India launched a rocket carrying 36 private internet satellites early Sunday, stepping in to keep the orbital constellation growing after a
months-long interruption related to the war in Ukraine.The liftoff from southern India was the first launch for London-based OneWeb since
breaking with the Russian Space Agency in March because of Moscow&s invasion of Ukraine, AP reported.We have accomplished the orbit very
accurately, now the rocket is in its intended orbit,& said S
Somanath, the chairperson of India&s space agency
He said 16 satellites were put into orbit and expressed optimism that ''the remaining 20 satellites will get separated as safely as the
first of the 16.OneWeb now has 462 satellites flying — more than 70% of what the company said it needs to provide broadband services
Despite this year&s disruption, OneWeb said it remains on track to activate global coverage next year with a planned constellation of 648
It&s already providing service in the northernmost latitudes.Each OneWeb satellite weighs about 150 kilograms.It was the 14th launch of
OneWeb satellites and relied on India&s heaviest rocket, normally reserved for government spacecraft
All of the previous OneWeb flights were on Russian rockets; the first was in 2019.The launch is important for India and reflects the gradual
opening of its space agency to private customers, said Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, a director specializing in space and security at the
Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, AP reported.Rajagopalan said India is an expert at launching smaller satellites and has been
trying to corner this market, pitching itself as a satellite launch facility.With the war in Ukraine still raging, it could open an
opportunity for India as many countries shun Russian launch services.It could spur that trend in a big way,& she said.The post India
launches 36 internet satellites delayed by Ukraine war first appeared on Ariana News.
